Meta updates smart glasses to disable camera if LED is covered

Meta is implementing new privacy updates for its smart glasses to prevent users from bypassing recording indicators. The update ensures that if the capture LED—intended to notify bystanders that recording is in progress—is covered, tampered with, or destroyed, the camera will automatically shut down.

Alex Himel, Meta’s VP of AR, stated that the company will continue providing updates to ensure the LED reliably signals when photos or videos are being captured. CTO Andrew Bosworth emphasized that the light is a permanent feature that cannot be disabled. These changes aim to address concerns regarding surreptitious recording as more companies, including Google, Samsung, and Apple, prepare to enter the AI smart glasses market.